Former State Sen. Ernest Newton watches as Bridgeport's Democratic Town Committee nominates candidates for the state House of Representatives and for Registrar of Voters Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Testo's Restaurant. Newton was nominated to represent the 124th state House district.

City fire commissioner William Marshall, who plans to run in the 124th state House district against Former State Sen. Ernest Newton, attends Bridgeport's Democratic Town Committee nomination of candidates for the state House of Representatives and for Registrar of Voters Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Testo's Restaurant. The party endorsed Newton.

Former State Sen. Ernest Newton accepts the party nomination as Bridgeport's Democratic Town Committee nominates candidates for the state House of Representatives and for Registrar of Voters Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Testo's Restaurant.

State Rep. Christina Ayala and her mom, Registrar Santa Ayala sit together as Bridgeport's Democratic Town Committee nominates candidates for the state House of Representatives and for Registrar of Voters Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Testo's Restaurant.

Despite facing serious election-fraud allegations, Ernest Newton and Santa Ayala received members' endorsement Wednesday to run for state representative and registrar of voters, respectively.

"I'm just a person who keeps on trying," Newton told the crowd at Testo's Restaurant, recalling what the late Nelson Mandela said to him when the two met in 1992.

"Thank you," Newton said to the committee.

While many appeared genuinely willing to overlook the accusations against Newton and Ayala, the evening also continued the tradition among Bridgeport's Democratic movers and shakers of holding their tongues for fear of making powerful enemies or because it is just too much of a headache.

Ex-Councilman John Olson, a sometimes-independent voice, said in a brief speech that was less about praising Newton and more about accepting reality, "Unless someone else wants to stand up against him, Ernie is our man."

Newton, who climbed the political ladder from City Council president to the state House of Representatives to state Senate, only to be imprisoned for corruption related to the latter office, is seeking to return to his old seat in the 124th House District. Incumbent Charles "Don" Clemons is retiring.

But even as he plans his return to the General Assembly, Newton is battling charges of fraud related to his participation in the public campaign finance program when he sought to return to the Senate in 2012.

Though Newton and his attorney failed over the winter to persuade a judge to dismiss the case, Newton, in an interview Wednesday, expressed confidence that he would ultimately prevail.

Newton said "there's no jury that can convict me" for allegedly skirting the rules when he needed to find an extra $500 to meet a fundraising threshold to receive state campaign dollars.

Ayala, who has held the Democratic registrar's job for several years, is likewise seeking re-election with a cloud over her head.

Last October, state elections enforcement officials recommended that the chief state's attorney prosecute Ayala and her daughter, freshman state Rep. Christina Ayala, D-128, for conspiring to let Christina Ayala use a false address while voting, campaigning and participating in the public campaign finance system.

"She hasn't been charged with anything," Parziale said afterward. "So therefore that means nothing to me."

Christina Ayala, however, did pay a price for the election-fraud accusations, as well as some run-ins with the law in Bridgeport. As had been expected for the past few weeks, the Town Committee instead endorsed Chris Rosario, Mayor Bill Finch's director of blight enforcement, to represent the 128th District in the state House.

Rosario and his allies successfully gained seats on the town committee earlier this year, diminishing the Ayala family's influence on Wednesday's outcome. Christina Ayala said she will mount a summer primary for her seat.

The fraud charges capped an embarrassing year for her that began with a hit-and-run arrest, followed by an arrest over a fight with her boyfriend and allegations she attacked her ex's girlfriend in a bar.

Christina Ayala pleaded no contest and was fined $350 in the hit-and-run. The domestic violence charges were dropped after Ayala completed counseling, and the brawl probe was concluded without her being charged.

Asked about the state elections probe, she said, "We're in a big limbo, so I'm moving forward."

The Chief State/s Attorney's Office has declined to comment on its investigation.

Newton, too, may face a challenge. William Marshall, a Bridgeport native who owns a barbershop and is also pastor of the City of Life Church, attended the meeting and said he will be collecting petitions for a primary.

"The reality is, we need fresh change and strong representation," said Marshall.

What does he have to say about Newton?

"Ernie's a good guy , a great guy, but he's not my focus," Marshall said.

Rosario is considered the Finch administration's candidate, but Marshall also has connections to City Hall. In 2012, Finch appointed Marshall to a charter revision commission and the mayor also made Marshall a fire commissioner.

Finch made an early appearance at the Democratic Town Committee meeting, but left before the nominating began.